Human Resources Associate (Internal Candidates Only)

Water and Energy Cluster

Based in Copenhagen, the UNOPS Water and Energy Cluster provides specialized project management services to partners such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Bank. Together with partners, the cluster executes projects that support sustainable development by:

• promoting international cooperation to prevent and reverse environmental degradation of international water systems
• enhancing the resilience of communities and eco-systems to climate change
• lowering emissions by bridging renewable energy solutions
• developing Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions to strengthen climate-resilient development

Overall responsibilities:

Reporting to the Head of Support Services, the Human Resources Associate is responsible for providing support to HR initiatives in the area of recruitment & talent management, learning, organizational development or business advisory services, transactional/strategic work and project management.  The HR Associate serves as the first contact for internal and external clients in resolving questions on processes and procedures and provision of guidance and information related to HR initiatives to a wide range of UNOPS clients.

The HR Associate works in close collaboration with the Programme, Project and Operations personnel of WEC, and with UNOPS HQ staff, to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery. 

§  Assist with full compliance of HR activities with UN rules and regulations, UNOPS policies, procedures and strategies; effective implementation of the internal control, proper functioning of the HR management system.

§  Help interpret HR policies, assess the impact of changes and help management with their implementation.

§  Help develop procedures and practices that contribute to enhanced and improved HR management across the Cluster. Assist with creating the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in HR management in consultation with the direct supervisor and cluster management.

§  Support Head of Support Services with drafting and review of personnel related parts of operational budgets, and assist management and Project Managers with project planning, particularly regarding HR elements of projects.

2.     Provides support to effective day-to-day HR management of the Cluster, focusing on achievement of the following results.

§  Initiation, processing, monitoring, review and follow-up on actions related to the administration of the unit’s human resource activities, e.g., recruitment, placement, relocation, promotion, performance appraisal, job classification reviews, learning, etc., ensuring consistency in the application of regulations and procedures.

§  Facilitation of management of transparent and competitive recruitment and selection processes, including updated job descriptions, proper job classification, vacancy announcement, screening of candidates, organization and chairing of interview panels, making recommendations on recruitment.

§  Assistance in the identification of the mechanisms to attract suitable candidates, including from developing countries. Help develop and maintain database of job applications.

§  Support project managers on transparent and competitive process for project recruitments, drafting of adequate TORs based on results, facilitation of recruitment processes and requests for contracts. Continuous monitoring of the entire UNOPS project recruitment process.

§  Liaise with Bangkok Shared Service Center and help manage manage personnel benefits and entitlements delegated to the WEC HR Unit.

§  Help monitor and track all transactions related to positions, recruitment, HR data, benefits, earnings/deductions, retroactivity, recoveries, adjustments and separations through oneUNOPS.

§  Assistance with implementation of the protocol for performance appraisal process, facilitation of the process, including deployment of innovative tools such as 360 evaluations, to ensure career development of personnel.

§  Provides information to the supervisor on the status of pending requests and work deadlines, and provision of proactive customer service to internal and external clients.

§  Close communication with regional and HQ focal points pertaining to the correct administration of personnel entitlements and benefits, as well as resolution of HR issues involving the Cluster. 

§  Close communication with relevant UN bodies and local government institutions, as relevant, to solve personnel-related issues, in various project locations in the field.

§  Set up and maintenance of reference files/records (electronic and hard copy). Entry, maintenance and certification of administrative data and records for time and attendance, learning activities, performance appraisal, etc., in electronic information systems.

3.     Contributes to personnel development and learning, as well as knowledge building and sharing, focusing on achievement of the following results:

§  Help guide and train the PMs, project personnel and others on UNOPS HR rules, regulations and modalities.

§  Help identify personnel competencies, and provide effective counselling to personnel on career advancement, development needs, learning possibilities.

§  Assist management with creation, budgeting and implementation of the WEC learning and development plan in line with personnel’s needs, and to ensure that they are fully acquainted with UNOPS corporate regulations, rules and procedures, and the relevant tools and systems in place.

§  Help identify new learning opportunities to enhance the continuous professionalization of personnel.

§  Facilitation organization and conduct of training courses and workshops as per the learning and development plan. Provision of logistics and administrative support to trainers.

§  Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

§  Help synthesize lessons learnt and best practices in HR and overall administration.

§  Support implementation and conduct corporate People Survey and similar across WEC.

Personnel Data Management, Reporting and Systems Development; including development of a user manual, designing HR site on intranet, reporting, etc.

4.      Perform other relevant duties as assigned by the Head of Support Services.

Education:

Secondary Education is required with 6 years of relevant experience. 

University Degree (Bachelor or Master) in HR, Business, Public Administration or related field would be strongly desirable and would substitute for some of the experience required.

HR certification, particularly the UNOPS HR Essentials certification, would be considered a significant asset.

Experience:
6 years of progressively responsible HR experience at the national or international level. At least 1 year of this has to be with UNOPS.

Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Office 2003 and/or newer versions) and experience in handling of web-based systems required.

At least 1 year experience using the UNOPS corporate recruitment and ERP systems (GPRS and oneUNOPS) required.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and oral English required.  Knowledge of second UN official language is desirable.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.